Chopin Sonatas

[Davek]

Has anyone played either of these? i am currently learning his sonata(s) in bminor & cminor. could someone give some info on both of these sonatas. also in the third sonata do you use pedal for the first couple of measures? just wondering

:)any and all comments welcome


thanks a lot
dave king

[frederic]

Hi Davek!
Yeah i've learnt the first movement of his B minor Sonata. You're learning two of his sonatas at the same time? Ooh... thats tough. But that's a contrast. Since B minor Sonata is the mostly played while hardly any pianists play the first C minor sonata. Most pianists group the last two. The reason why less pianists play the first is because it was written when Chopin was very young and did not know so much about Sonata writing and he does not follow the rules very well. It is sort of like four pieces grouped together and Chopin just called it a Sonata.
Where as in the third Sonata, Chopin is giving all that he's got. Its very demanding, technically and musically. Some might argue the second sonata in B flat minor is more difficult technically, but I love the third more because it has more emotional qualities throughout.
Your question.
When i play the opening of the first movement i pedal at every beat including the quavers (eighth), so that it prevents the chords sounding too muddy. But i do not pedal the first four notes. I play the chord quavers staccato. Do you? Most pianists play them staccato but as Chopin did not write them staccato, some pianists, like Kissin, want to be different by choosing to play them legato. But this should be for you to discover.
This Sonata has great contrast from the agitated to the beautiful lyrical melodies.
From bar 41, you need to sing out those lyrical melodies in the right hand. It requires a special touch, with your fingers more flat on the keys.
The development section starts with some counter point, remember Chopin admired Bach tremendously (so get those dusty books of Prelude and Fugues out again! If you can play Chopin well you can play Bach well...). Play it so that you can hear clearly each voice when it comes out. It is also very chromatic so its hard it hear it and is harder to memorise. 
There are so many things to say about just this movement as its like a sonata just on its own, i can't really say anymore. You need to discover it yourself.

But remember, Passion is more important than the excitement.
You well enjoy it so much just as i did (im going to complete it soon). It is really a work which grows with you: the more mature you get, the better it will get.
I have no doubt you will play it extremely well.
Good luck, Enjoy...